2008 Toyota Tundra: Japanese pickup feels all-American

Affixed to the rear window of the 2008 Toyota Tundra was a sticker that that read "Born in Texas; Built by Texans." The message was clear: This full-size pickup may have Japanese roots, but its character is all-American.

And it's come to play with the big boys.

Redesigned in 2007, the Tundra impresses with more than just brawny posturing. It comes with a number of features that make it a true competitor in this muy macho segment, including the roomiest cabin featuring best-in-class legroom, some of the segment's largest standard wheels, Toyota's comprehensive Star safety system with a couple of segment-first features, and an available 5.7-liter V8 that's one of the most powerful engines found in a half-ton pickup.

Actually, each of the Tundra's cabins offers some feature that puts it near or at the top of the segment. In the Regular Cab, there's class-leading behind-seat storage. The spacious Double Cab offers an enormous amount (34.7 inches!) of rear legroom. And the CrewMax is flat-out the biggest cabin of any full-size pickup with segment-leading (44.5 inches) rear legroom, as well as a first-in-class sliding and reclining backseat.

The Tundra's interior is also very user-friendly and designed to cater to the working man. Visibility is excellent, gauges are easy-to-read and both buttons and door handles are large to make them simpler to manage for a person wearing work gloves.

There's also a lot of well-thought-out interior storage including dual glove compartments -- the top one is perfectly sized to fit a standard Thermos and the bottom, with a capacity of 9.5 liters is big enough to hold pretty much everything else. But if that's still not enough, a job foreman can use the cavernous center console to hold his laptop or even hanging file folders.

And all the latest techno-toys are available including a premium JBL stereo, navigation system with rear backup camera and Bluetooth hands-free cell phone equipment.

The Tundra's 18-inchers are some of the largest standard wheels in the segment, with 20-inch alloys available.

The Tundra (as well as all Toyota SUVs) comes standard with the Star safety system featuring the manufacturer's most advanced traction control equipment including anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, vehicle stability control and traction control. There are also segment firsts including standard side and side curtain airbags with roll sensor, as well as adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts at all positions.

Available in two- and four-wheel drive, the Tundra comes in more than 30 configurations. Regular and Double Cabs are available with either a standard (6.6-foot) or long (8.13-foot) bed, while the CrewMax features a short (5.6-foot) box. Not being an Amazon, I appreciated the Tundra's lockable and removable tailgate with tailgate assist, which allows even a weakling to open and close the all-steal gate with just two fingers.

There are three engines. Regular and Double Cabs come with a 4.0-liter six cylinder, generating 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Mileage estimates are 15/19.

Standard on the CrewMax is a 4.7-liter i-Force V8. Rated at 276 horsepower and 313 pound-feet of torque, its fuel economy is 14/17 on the 4x2 and 13/16 on the 4x4.

Both are mated to a five-speed automatic transm ission with overdrive.

But the big daddy of them all is the optional 5.7-liter i-Force V8, producing a whopping 381 horses and 401 pound-feet of torque. It's paired with a six-speed automatic with mileage estimates of 14/18 (4x2) and 13/17 (4x4).

With proper equipment, maximum towing capacity is 10,800 pounds.

Overall, the re-invented Tundra sucessfully competes with the top trucks in this segment in terms of size, performance and capacity, while maintaining a comfortable cabin that could also easily accommodate the family. It's certainly worthy of a test drive or, better yet, Labor Day road trip, anyone?